BonjourParis

12th Arr

Paris - 12th arrondissement

Now if you're thinking to yourself, "Wow, I'd love to go to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, but I just don't have the time. Wonder if there's anything else I can squeeze in," then a trip into the 12th arrondissement on the swanky ultra-futuristic metro line 14 from Madeleine to Halles de Bercy (otherwise known as Bercy Village -- hectares of refurbished white wine warehouses) is perfect. The shops and restaus at Bercy tend to be French chains, but there are tons of them, and all have outside seating -- but still, you go for whatever outside art exhibit they might have... and if there isn't one, or it disappoints, at least you went on the very cool, Météor (metro sans driver), where you were able to rest your weary Museum'd out legs. The wildly angled, architecturally designed Frank Gehry Cinémathèque Française (formerly the American Center -- meant to promote arts and good spirits between the French and Americans, but it went over budget) does have excellent exhibits if you find your 2nd wind when you arrive. The permanent and temporary exhibits range from themes such as costumes to ¡Almodóvar to Georges Méliès, magicien du cinéma and more. If you're up for a good pop concert, plan ahead to see the likes of Céline Dion, Radiohead, James Blunt, Kylie Minogue, etc., at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy... or heck, go to see the New Jersey Nets take on the Miami Heat in Basketball.